Here is an article from Field and Stream about a hunter that poached a GIANT deer in OK and then also had ~100 other untagged antlers in his possession. Seems like a very light penalty. 20 years with no hunting privileges, HELLO he is a poacher he doesn't need a license. How about taking all of his guns/truck or car that was used to transport the poached animal. Plus a restitution for the animals killed. A lot of states have weighted restitutions about how much a trophy is worth to the state.

I agree that taking away someones hunting privelages who doesnt abide by the law is fruitless.I also think he should pay restitution as a per fine per deer...i also think he should be liable to re-imbursement for the tags he should have had...if its proven they were poached...

I also think all states should impose some sort of restiution as far as community service...perhaps cleaning a local park ,garbage cans,trash pickup,maintenance etc,easing costs for the state while getting something back.I also think these guys who are extreme poachers if you will ...should have to speak to a crowd of young hunters and try to make amends for their actions ...turning young hunters away from their stupid decisions...while a conservation police officer is present...this would be way more constructive than the less deterant fines ....

A year or 2 of giving back to the community this individual did damage to,and at least a public apology in front of youth hunters should be mandatory-besides the heavy fines,per deer,and some jail time.

Ohio has a weighted restitution law for poaching. This past season a man was charged with hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, shooting from a roadway and hunting without permission. He was ordered to 48 hours in jail, $400 in fines, $151.50 in court cost and to forfit the deer. In addition, he will lose his hunting privileges for 2 years. The big hit was a fine of $23,818.95 for the buck he poached. That # is calculated based on the score of the rack. The calculated fine also relates to all game, including fish. Nice, huh? Ohio also is a member of the Wildlife Violator's Compact with 36 other states, which means that he will also loose his hunting priv in those states too.

It makes me sick every time I hear a story like this. Lifetime hunting ban would only be the beginning if it were me handing out the punishment. If someone broke any other law 100+ times they would certainly be doing some hard time, community service, etc... He should have to do volunteer work for the park for life. What a loser.

My pursuit of a buck of a lifetime is much like the Chicago Cubs pursuit of a World Series...the season ends with a "wait til next year"

I have to agree, why are they suspending his hunting privileges for 20 years? He was abidding by the laws to begin with, why is this hurting him? I believe jail time and confiscation of alll items used in the commission of the crime should be confiscated. Plus a weighted fine for the animals he took illegally.

Ohio farms wrote:Ohio has a weighted restitution law for poaching. This past season a man was charged with hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, shooting from a roadway and hunting without permission. He was ordered to 48 hours in jail, $400 in fines, $151.50 in court cost and to forfit the deer. In addition, he will lose his hunting privileges for 2 years. The big hit was a fine of $23,818.95 for the buck he poached. That # is calculated based on the score of the rack. The calculated fine also relates to all game, including fish. Nice, huh? Ohio also is a member of the Wildlife Violator's Compact with 36 other states, which means that he will also loose his hunting priv in those states too.

Seems like Ohio has a good system.

Here is a link to the list of states that are in the Wildlife Violator's Compact.